Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Spider.
Alfa Romeo is one of the most storied brands in the history of the automobile. Known for historic racing wins at the hands of some of the most famous drivers ever to steer a car, Alfa is a brand that is loved by many for its history and amazing cars built in Milano.
In my personal opinion, the first version of the 105 series of the Alfa Spider is one of the most beautiful cars that the company ever built. With their rounded front and rear ends, the design flows better than any roadster I can think of. The 105 Spider, originally named the Duetto, would also be the final car designed by Battista Pininfarina, the founder of the mythic design firm.
These cars are powered by an all aluminum 1750cc DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine and backed by a 5-speed manual gearbox. The interior is pure vintage Italian goodness with a full compliment of gauges, comfortable seats, and one of the the easiest to raise and lower manual convertible tops ever designed.
This specific 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider is said by the seller to have been owned by them for the last 14 years and during this time has been garage-kept, as well as having received mechanical work to the cooling system, exhaust, suspension and disc braking system. This car is finished in Farina Blue with a tan cloth retractable top over a Skai Amaranto (brown) vinyl bucket seats, matched to the door panels and carpeting. The black dash is in good condition and features an aftermarket wood-rimmed steering wheel, lap belts, radio and carpeted trunk. In addition, this Spider includes a convertible boot, certificate of origin, service records and Ontario registration.
The car was repainted in its Farina Blue (AR323) exterior finish and features include headlight covers, driver-side side-view mirror and split chrome bumpers. The seller notes that there is a small tear in the roof. The seller also notes that there is some corrosion in the flooring of the body near the driver-side jack point.
The car rides on later model Alfa aluminum 15-inch five-spoke wheels with Alfa Romeo-branded center caps are wrapped in newer 195/55-sized Yokohama ADVAN tires.
The 1,779cc twin-cam inline-four originally featured Spica fuel-injection but is now fed by dual Weber carburetors. At some point someone decided to paint the cam cover blue but this can be easily removed. Recent maintenance includes an oil change, replacement of the tachometer cable and coolant replacement. Additionally, the water pump was replaced in 2021, the radiator hoses were changed in 2012 and the exhaust was replaced in 2011. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a rebuilt five-speed manual transmission. There is some surface rust in the engine compartment per the seller’s remarks.
These cars have been very popular in today’s market and prices have been on the rise for a number of years and finding an affordable solid driver level car that has not received a complete restoration (which raises the price) is more difficult. Also finding an example that has no been repainted red is also quite difficult. If I were buying this Alfa I would remove the blue paint from the cam cover, attend to the rust around the jack point, and enjoy the car as these drive better than they look. I say that as a former owner of a 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider, a car that my wife thought was the most beautiful car we have ever owned.
If this car speaks to you like it does me, then place a bid or two, you might just get lucky and be able to park it in your garage.
The auction for this 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider ends on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
